Integumentary System & Skin Problems Vocab

Integumentary System

Skin & accessory structures

Epidermis

Outer layer of skin

Dermis

Deeper connective-tissue layer

Hypodermis

Tissue beneath dermis

Subcutaneous

Beneath the skin

Hair follicle

Structure from which hair grows

Hair shaft

Visible portion of hair

Hair root

Portion below skin

Hair bulb

Enlarged base of hair follicle

Hair matrix

Produces new hair cells

Sebaceous gland

Produces sebum

Sebum

Oily secretion that lubricates/protects

Claw

Keratinized structure of a digit

Dermatitis

Skin inflammation

Alopecia

Hair loss

Pruritus

Itching

Wound

Tissue injury/damage

Hot Spot

Acute moist dermatitis

Ectoparasite

External parasite

Flea

Blood-feeding external parasite

Tick

External parasite that attaches to host

Mite

Tiny external parasite

Louse

External parasitic insect

Lesion

Abnormal area of tissue

Erythema

Redness of skin

Excoriation

Skin damage caused by scratching/rubbing

Crust

Dried material on skin surface

Papule

Small, solid raised skin lesion

Pustule

Small pus-filled lesion

Scale

Flakes of shedding keratinized material

Exudate

Fluid material that escapes from inflamed tissue

Self-trauma

Injury caused by the animal’s own scratching/licking/chewing

Pyoderma

Bacterial infection of the skin

Seborrhea

Excessive scaling/oily skin condition

Hyperpigmentation

Increased skin pigmentation

Lichenification

Thickening of skin, often associated with chronic irritation